About A Balancing Act: Helping Families Navigate Memory Loss
When a loved one is diagnosed with dementia, family members can feel completely overwhelmed. You're now trying to juggle managing your loved one's increasing need for care while also tending to your own family, career and life. It can truly feel like a balancing act.
I'm Kelly Bertenshaw, a licensed Speech Language Pathologist and certified Dementia Care Specialist. I have worked with those affected by dementia and their families for more than 20 years. I started this podcast to help you, the family members, as you navigate this journey.
My goal is to provide you with proven strategies, relevant information and research, as well as actionable steps you can take today .
Together, we'll find the answers. Because no one should walk this journey alone.
RSSVERIFY
Encore Episode: "Should I Lie To My Love One With Dementia?"
In this episode, Kelly addresses the moral dilemma caregivers face: whether to lie or tell the truth to loved ones with dementia. Traditionally, reality orientation,(telling the truth) was seen as a matter of principle. But from the 1990s, therapeutic fibbing, small, compassionate lies, gained acceptance. Kelly argues for 'leading with their reality,' adapting responses based on the stage of dementia and what comforts or calms the person. She provides practical advice, ways to respond that meet your loved where they are and how to get self-support for when these situations arise.
OUR FACEBOOK PAGE- PLEASE POST ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS HERE. OR, YOU CAN REQUEST A CHAT WITH KELLY!
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573800764103 (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573800764103)
RESOURCES:
https://www.walkinlab.com/blog/seven-stages-dementia/ (https://www.walkinlab.com/blog/seven-stages-dementia/)
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/blog/lying-to-someone-with-dementia (https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/blog/lying-to-someone-with-dementia)
https://iona.org/therapeutic-fibs-ok/ (https://iona.org/therapeutic-fibs-ok/)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s0ktYUIn0Y (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s0ktYUIn0Y)
30 Sept 2026
Dementia and The Stress of Medical Appointments
Medical visits can be overwhelming for someone living with dementia, but understanding why makes all the difference. In this episode,Kelly explains the challenges to the brain during appointments and shares practical strategies for preparing, managing the waiting room, communicating during the exam, responding to fear before it escalates.
FACEBOOK PAGE: Please message questions for Kelly, or to set up a chat!
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573800764103 (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573800764103)
Please consider donating to support A BALANCING ACT!
https://buymeacoffee.com/navigatingmemoryloss (https://buymeacoffee.com/navigatingmemoryloss) ☕
Resources
Working with the Doctor
https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/working-with-the-doctor (https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/working-with-the-doctor)
Making the Most of Doctor’s Appointments When Your Loved One Has Dementia
https://www.jameslwest.org/dementia-doctor-appointment-tips-caregivers/ (https://www.jameslwest.org/dementia-doctor-appointment-tips-caregivers/)
The information shared in this podcast is for EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES only, and should not be considered a substitute for medical advice. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others, This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Kelly A. Bertenshaw, any guests or contributors to the podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of A Balancing Act: Helping Families Navigate Memory Loss be responsible for damages arising from the use of this podcast.
16 Sept 2026
Dementia and Broken Filters: "How Can They Say That?"
Why can dementia cause someone to suddenly say things that seem rude, offensive or completely out of character? In this episode, Kelly discusses how dementia can affect the brain’s social filter, why these behaviors may be worse at certain times, and how understanding what’s happening can help families respond with less conflict.
FACEBOOK PAGE: Please message questions for Kelly, or to set up a chat!
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573800764103 (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573800764103)
Please consider donating to support A BALANCING ACT!
https://buymeacoffee.com/navigatingmemoryloss (https://buymeacoffee.com/navigatingmemoryloss) ☕
Resources
DISINHIBITION
https://www.dementia.org.au/living-dementia/mood-and-behaviour-changes/disinhibition (https://www.dementia.org.au/living-dementia/mood-and-behaviour-changes/disinhibition)
TIPS FOR MANAGING DISINHIBITION
https://www.dementiahub.sg/living-well-with-dementia/tips-for-managing-disinhibited-behaviours/ (https://www.dementiahub.sg/living-well-with-dementia/tips-for-managing-disinhibited-behaviours/)
ALZHEIMER’S CARE TIPS: MANAGING DISINHIBITING BEHAVIORS
https://www.continuumcare.com/managing-disinhibiting-behaviors/ (https://www.continuumcare.com/managing-disinhibiting-behaviors/)
The information shared in this podcast is for EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES only, and should not be considered a substitute for medical advice. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others, This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Kelly A. Bertenshaw, any guests or contributors to the podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of A Balancing Act: Helping Families Navigate Memory Loss be responsible for damages arising from the use of this podcast.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
15 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 16 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
11
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
51
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